Homepage Bowes Communications newsroom

Project Services Firm PM-Partners group Conducting Australia's First Project Management Office (PMO) Trend Survey

Announcement posted by Bowes Communications 09 Aug 2011

With The Value Of Projects In Australia Now Exceeding $830 Billion, The Success Of The Country's PMOs Will Have Lasting Effects

Sydney, Australia -- August 9, 2011

-- Leading Australian project services firm, PM-Partners group, today announced that it is conducting Australia's first Project Management Office (PMO) Trend Survey.

A Project Management Office allows organisations to centralise control of projects and business processes to improve project outcomes and drive strategic changes. But there is little hard research demonstrating how successful PMOs have been in achieving these objectives in Australia, said Pete Swan, Director of PM-Partners group.

Nonetheless, up to 80% of large organisations have either established a Project Management Office -- or are in the process of evolving one.

"A PMO used to essentially be responsible for methodology but now it's required to manage supply and demand across the organisation," said Swan. "PMOs come in many forms and use different names, sometimes to avoid the stigma of the process police, making it even more important to know where your PMO adds value."

Operating a PMO, however, is an organisational discipline and not a corporate mandate (such as OH&S). "It's a discipline that is quite often ignored," he said. "When times are tough, organisations cut back on quality-based disciplines like project management. Unfortunately, that is the worst time to start cutting corners even if it seems like an easy cost cutting target."

With the value of projects in Australia jumping by almost 8.5% in the last quarter to more than $830 billion, according to the Deloitte Access Economics Investment Monitor, the success of the country's PMOs will have lasting effects.

"Now is not the time for complacency," said Swan. "With a multi-speed and highly volatile economy organisations continue to push for competitive advantage, so the PMO must change to maintain its relevance and value."

By surveying Australia's pre-eminent PMO managers and thought leaders, the PM-Partners 2011 PMO Trend Survey will determine:

* The number, type and size of PMOs operated by organisations;

* The success of PMOs in improving project outcomes;

* The strategic value delivered by PMOs to organisations;

* Services offered by PMOs;

* Challenges faced by PMOs in meeting expectations; and

* The future capabilities required of PMOs.

All participants will receive a copy of the survey report which is expected to be published in November 2011.

About PM-Partners group

PM-Partners group has helped Australian organisations achieve better business outcomes for 15 years. PM-Partners group is Australia's most highly certified project management specialist, and each year assists in the delivery of projects valued at over $500 million. PM-Partners group's talented team of over 100 experienced consultants, project managers and facilitators works with organisations throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, and the USA, managing over 300 client engagements and projects in various industry sectors each year.

For more information about PM-Partners group, please visit www.pm-partners.com.au.